YMCA called on the nation to make their mental health a priority on World Mental Health Day and join WHOLE HOUR
Less than a third (30%) of young people think they take enough time out to look after their mental wellbeing with almost half (46%) saying they simply don’t have the time to do so, new figures have shown ahead of World Mental Health Day (10 October) tomorrow.
Youth charity YMCA spoke to more than 1,000 young people, aged 11 to 24 years-old, about the importance of self-care in light of increasing worries about a mental health crisis, with close to a fifth (19%) of young people saying they don’t know how to look after their mental health, and more than one in four (29%) admitting they forget altogether.
To help tackle the mental health crisis and encourage more young people to look after their mental wellbeing, YMCA called on the nation to make their mental health a priority on World Mental Health Day and take an hour for themselves to do something that improves their mental wellbeing, and then to continue now tht’s passed.
The charity’s rallying call is part of its #IAMWHOLE campaign which has launched WHOLE HOUR, an initiative that champions the importance of self-care and taking time to look after your mental health. Whether it is doing something active and healthy, creative and fun, mindful and thoughtful, or restful and relaxing, there are a variety of things everyone can do to feel good, says YMCA.
Denise Hatton, Chief Executive of YMCA England & Wales, said:
“People’s lives are extremely busy and for many of us we simply don’t know how to slow down or stop.
“We all have mental health and it’s important that we take a break and give our mind a chance to recoup by practising self-care.
“We are on a mission to show that each and every one of us should regularly look after our mental wellbeing and this starts with taking a WHOLE HOUR for yourself on World Mental Health Day.”
Jordan Stephens, one half of music duo Rizzle Kicks and #IAMWHOLE Ambassador, said:
“WHOLE HOUR is about taking time to boost your mental health. It doesn’t matter if this is meditating, doing yoga, going for a run or just chilling. Positive mental health starts with taking time out, away from the stresses of life and focussing on you.
“People spend too much of their time thinking about work pressures, relationship drama and updating their Instagram. On World Mental Health Day, put your own mental health first and take a WHOLE HOUR to yourself.”
The research also showed that:
- The most popular ways young people look after their mental wellbeing are listening to music (57%) and spending time with friends and family (52%)
- Two fifths of young people (41%) do sport or exercise to look after their mental wellbeing.
WHOLE HOUR is part of #IAMWHOLE, an anti-stigma mental health campaign developed in partnership with the NHS and YMCA, the world’s largest youth charity. The campaign was developed as a direct response to mental health difficulties experienced by children and young people throughout the UK, Ireland and around the world.
For more information about #IAMWHOLE visit the campaign website.
